Gaming machine having combinable paylines

ABSTRACT

A slot style gaming machine includes a variety of features which make the game played thereon more attractive to potential game players. The machine includes a video display screen for viewing a computer generated game. A value-adding symbol may randomly appear on the screen to activate a pay-related event, such as creation of a pay line, combining of two or more pay lines to increase the award value, a wager increase option, a win pattern change, progressive play and so forth. Symbols and display blocks among other elements also move in distinctive ways on the screen. Rings which include the display blocks may be displayed on the screen and may rotate and flip. The symbols and display blocks may move along an arcuate path along the rings and undergo a shuffling process. Symbol blocks may separate from one another and pay lines may move on the screen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates generally to gaming machines. More particularly,the invention relates to a gaming machine of the type generally known asa slot machine. Specifically, the invention relates to a slot-stylegaming machine having combinable paylines and various other novelfeatures.

2. Background Information

Gaming machines come in a wide variety, including the category generallyknown as slot machines. Slot machines or slot-style gaming machinestypically include physical reels which spin or electronically createdreels which are displayable on a video screen and appear to spinvertically. The electronically created reels which appear on a videoscreen are controlled by a computer program which makes it appear that areel is spinning and the player of the game is viewing a portion of theouter circumference of a physical reel. A typical slot machine includesthree reels each having a plurality of symbols thereon which align withthe symbols in the other reels when the reels are stopped to form rowsor lines. It is well known in the art that paylines are formed of likesymbols and of one of said like symbols in each reel aligned across allof the reels. The most common paylines extend straight horizontallyacross the screen although this may vary.

Especially in light of today's relatively advanced computerized games,there is a need in the art to provide slot-style gaming machines whichhave a greater attraction factor for those more well-versed in modernvideo games. Thus, features on the video screen which are more engagingwill be valuable in attracting such players and keeping them interestedin the game. Amongst such features are alternate ways of creatingwinning paylines. The present invention addresses this and otherconcerns in the art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus comprising: a video display screen; a game playable viadisplay on the screen; a wager mechanism for making a wager on the game;a game play starter control for selectively initiating play of the game;a first pay line displayable on the screen; at least one value-addingsymbol randomly displayable on the screen; and a pay-related eventactivatable in response to appearance of the value-adding symbol on thescreen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic front elevational view of the gaming machine ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the video screen with the gamedisplayed thereon in the jackpot configuration.

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 and shows each of the paylines highlightedby the perimeter accents.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 and shows each of the rings in an initialstage of shuffling.

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 and shows the rings in a subsequent stage ofshuffling.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 and shows the rings with symbols in thereshuffled position.

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 and shows the spinning of the rings.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7 and shows the rings after they have stoppedspinning with three winning paylines highlighted by the perimeteraccents and moved radially outwardly.

FIG. 9 is similar to the previous Figs. and represents a new play of thegame in which the accents are shown spiraling in to highlight twowinning paylines and the scarab combining symbol having moved to thecenter of the rings to combine the two winning paylines and to effect abonus round.

FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 and shows all of the symbol blocks andassociated symbols moving radially outwardly and the columns movinglaterally off the screen.

FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10 and shows the symbols at a further stageof moving off the screen with the ring frame moving downwardly off thescreen and the appearance of three pyramids on the screen.

FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 11 and shows all of the visuals from the maingame removed from the screen with the three pyramids and a captionassociated with the bonus round.

FIG. 13 shows the ring frame, columns and symbol blocks and symbolsmoving back onto the screen.

FIG. 14 shows the scarab combining symbol having moved to the centerblock to effect a jackpot scenario with all the paylines in a winningconfiguration and the rings beginning to spin.

FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 14 and shows the rings in an initial stage offlipping while continuing to spin.

FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 15 and shows a subsequent stage of the ringsflipping while continuing to spin.

FIG. 17 shows the rings having stopped spinning and flipping in thejackpot configuration with each of the paylines moved radially outwardlya short distance.

FIG. 18 is similar to FIG. 17 and shows several paylines having movedradially inwardly to their home positions and highlighted by respectiveperimeter accents while a perimeter accent spirals inwardly and movestoward a position of highlighting another payline while the remainingpaylines are still disposed radially outwardly from their homepositions.

FIG. 19 shows all of the paylines in their home positions andhighlighted by perimeter accents.

FIG. 20 shows one configuration of the rings with four non-contiguousblocks of the middle ring highlighted by perimeter accents wherein eachof the highlighted blocks contains dissimilar symbols to illustrate adistinctive payline or an activator set of symbols.

FIG. 21 is similar to FIG. 20 and shows a different configuration of therings in which three contiguous symbol blocks in the inner ring arehighlighted by perimeter accents wherein each highlighted block containsa like symbol to illustrate another distinctive payline or activator setof symbols.

FIG. 22 is similar to FIG. 21 and shows another configuration of therings in which one of the symbol blocks in each of the inner, middle andouter rings is highlighted by a perimeter accent wherein the highlightedblocks are contiguous and the symbols therein are like symbols which aredistinct from the other symbols used in formation of the standardpaylines, thus illustrating another distinctive payline or activator setof symbols.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The gaming machine of the present invention is indicated generally at 10in FIG. 1. Gaming machine 10 is a slot machine or a slot-style machinecomprising a frame 12 with a video display screen 14 mounted thereon fordisplaying various images, symbols and alpha-numeric characters. Machine10 includes an internal computer or central processing unit (CPU)mounted within frame 12 for running a computer program which isprogrammed to operate the game of the present invention to be played onmachine 10. A coin head or slot 16 may be mounted on frame 12 forinputting coins which may be used for directly making a wager or forcrediting an amount with which wagers may be made. Similarly, a billslot or credit slot, each of which is indicated generally at 18, may bemounted on frame 12 for the same purpose. A coin tray 20 may be mountedon frame 12 to receive a payout of coins although other payoutmechanisms may be utilized. For example, a payout may be tracked by thecomputer and displayed on screen 14 and may be paid out, for instance,at any location within a casino which houses machine 10. Remote play ofthe game is also contemplated so that additional components associatedwith such play is within the scope of the invention.

A bet up/down button 22A or a similar mechanism is mounted on frame 12to allow the player to increase or decrease the amount of bet or wageron the game. A play button 24A or the like serves as a game play startercontrol and may be pressed or otherwise operated by the player to playthe game after a wager has been made. A pay table button 26A may be usedto display the pay table on screen 14. A touch sensitive screen may alsobe used to create such buttons on screen 14.

For example, FIG. 2 shows an alternate touch sensitive bet up/down toucharea 22B, a game play touch area 24B and a pay table display touch area26B. Areas 22B and 24B are shown on a right column 28 while touch area26B is shown on a left column 30. A ring frame 32 is positioned betweencolumns 28 and 30. Also located on right column 28 are a line selecttouch area 34, a help touch area 36 and an exit game touch area 38. Onleft column 30 are information blocks 40A and 40B used for the displayof alphabetical and numerical information. For instance, block 40A maybe used to display the amount bet and amount paid. Block 40B may be usedto indicate the number of paylines selected by the use of line selecttouch area 34, the number of bets or games that have been played, theamount of credit available, the amount of a jackpot win and so forth.Ring frame 32 includes a title block 42 in which the title of the gamemay be displayed and an additional information block 44 which maydisplay the amount won or any various information as desired.

Ring frame 32 (FIG. 2) has a circular inner perimeter 46 which defines acircular opening 48 which is shown substantially covered or closed inFIG. 2 by a combination of a center block 50, an inner ring 52, anintermediate or middle ring 54 and an outer ring 56. These annular ringsare substantially circular and concentric about the center of block 50or a point on block 50 and arranged so that inner ring 52 circumscribesblock 50, middle ring 54 circumscribes ring 52 and outer ring 56circumscribes middle ring 54.

Inner ring 52 includes twelve symbol display locations or inner blocks58. Likewise, middle ring 54 includes twelve display locations or middleblocks 60 and outer ring 56 includes twelve display locations or outerblocks 62. Inner ring 52 abuts and is separated from inner block 50 by agenerally circular perimeter or boundary line 64. Similarly, middle ring54 abuts and is separated from inner ring 52 by a circular middleperimeter or boundary line 66, and outer ring 56 abuts and is separatedfrom middle ring 54 by a circular outer perimeter or boundary line 68.In general, each of the blocks 50, 58, 60 and 62 have edges that appearto be beveled. Thus, the boundary lines noted above are at the abutmentof various beveled edges of these blocks. Outer ring 56 has a circularouter perimeter 69.

The three rings 52, 54 and 56 form twelve paylines 70 each formed by thealignment of one inner block 58, one middle block 60 and one outer block62, the middle block of each payline being in a contiguous relationshipwith the inner and center blocks of that payline. Rings 52, 54 and 56thus serve as specialized reels which provide for the formation ofunique paylines and other unique characteristics. Each pair of adjacentpaylines 70 abuts and is separated from one another by a radial boundaryline 72 which extends radially outwardly from block 50 on a straightradius. Each adjacent pair of lines 72 defines therebetween an acuteangle of 30 degrees. While this angle may vary depending on the numberof paylines, the angle will typically be an acute angle less than 90degrees. Each payline is generally V-shaped or U-shaped and has an outerperimeter defined by a pair of adjacent radial boundary lines 72, an arc74 of outer perimeter 69 extending between the two adjacent radialboundary lines 72 and a segment 76 of inner boundary line 64 whichextends between the two adjacent radial boundary lines 72. Thus, eachouter block 62 is generally arc-shaped and has an outer perimeter formedby a respective pair of segments 78 of lines 72, one of arcs 74extending therebetween and an arc 80 of boundary line 68 extendingbetween the adjacent pair of lines 72. Each middle block 60 has a shapesimilar to outer block 62 except that it is smaller. Each inner block 58is also similarly shaped except that it is likewise smaller and itsinner perimeter is bounded by one of the shallow V-shaped segments 76.

FIG. 2 shows the game in a jackpot configuration in which all twelvepaylines 70 are winning paylines. More particularly, each payline 70includes three like symbols in its respective symbol blocks 58, 60 and62. FIG. 2 shows twelve different symbol families each comprising threesymbols which are substantially identical to one another except fortheir size. For example, one symbol family includes symbols 82A, 82B and82C which sequentially increase in size and are in the form of a wolf ordog's head. All of the symbol families follow this size pattern. Moreparticularly, the remaining symbol families include symbols 83A-C in theform of a cat; symbols 84A-C in the form of a snake such as a cobra;symbols 85A-C in the form of a sword or dagger; symbols 86A-C in theform of a bird's head; symbols 87A-C in the form of a key; symbols 88A-Cin the form of a mummy's head; symbols 89A-C in the form of an Egyptianking's head or the head of a sarcophagus; symbols 90A-C in the form of apyramid; symbols 91A-C in the form of a stylized Egyptian queen's head;symbols 92A-C in the form of a sarcophagus; and symbols 93A-C in theform of a scorpion.

To operate machine 10, credit is obtained by inserting coins into slot16 (FIG. 1), inserting a bill or sliding a card via slot 18 or the like.The amount of the wager is selected using one of buttons or touch areas22. The number of paylines is selected using line selector 34. Each timeselector 34 is touched or actuated, a payline indicator or highlighterappears in the form of a perimeter accent 94. Accents 94 are typicallyof a color which is different from the background color of blocks 58, 60and 62. Each perimeter accent 94 is a generally V-shaped or U-shapedline which appears along the outer perimeter of a given payline 70. Moreparticularly, each accent 94 includes a pair of radially extending lines96 (FIG. 3) and a shallow V-shaped segment 98 which is disposed adjacentand mimics segment 76 of inner boundary line 64 and thecircumferentially extending portion of the outer perimeter of thepayline 70 which is highlighted by accent 94. While any number of thepaylines may be selected, the perimeter accents 94 in FIG. 3 show thatall of the paylines have been selected to increase the chances of awinning payline.

Play of a game is begun by depressing or touching the play button ortouch area 24, which results in the shuffling of blocks 58, 60 and 62 asshown in FIGS. 4 and 5. More particularly, FIG. 4 shows an initial stageof the shuffling which occurs as all or some of the symbol blocks andsymbols move along the circular path of the respective ring to revolveabout center block 50. The shuffling process presents a modified versionof spinning the symbols and symbol blocks. Each of rings 52, 54 and 56illustrate a different aspect of the shuffling process. Within innerring 52, a lead block 58A remains in place while the other symbolsblocks 58 move circumferentially along an arcuate or circular path asindicated at arrow A to slide over the symbol blocks in front of it tocover it partially. At the stage shown in FIG. 4, a trailing symbolblock 58B with symbol 82A thereon is fully visible, while the remainingsymbol blocks 58 are partially covered respectively by the various othersymbol blocks 58 and symbols thereon.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the symbol blocks 60 and theassociated symbols in middle ring 54 likewise move circumferentiallyalong an arcuate or circular path in a clockwise direction as indicatedat arrow B. However, unlike the blocks in inner ring 52, blocks 60 slideunder one another so that a lead block 60A remains completely visiblewhile the trailing block 60B is partially hidden by the block in frontof it and so forth. While the lead blocks 58A and 60A of respectiverings 52 and 54 are shown in a stationary position, they may also movecircumferentially along the circular path during the shuffling process.The movement of blocks 62 in outer ring 56 show a somewhat differentshuffling pattern. During the shuffling of outer blocks 62 and theassociated symbols, the outer ring is broken into three arcs or segments56A, 56B and 56C, the blocks 62 of which move circumferentially in aclockwise direction on a circular path as indicated respectively atarrows C, D and E. Segment 56A thus has a leading block 62A and atrailing block 62B; segment 56B has leading block 62C and a trailingblock 62D circumferentially spaced from leading block 62A with no blockor symbol therebetween; and segment 56C has a leading block 62E and atrailing block 62F. Block 62E is circumferentially spaced from trailingblock 62B with no block or symbol therebetween, and blocks 62F and 62Care in an analogous relationship. Each block 62 within a given segment56A, B or C slides behind or underneath the blocks 62 in front of it tobe covered or hidden thereby.

This shuffle process may be thought of as the opening and closing ofthree circular fans represented by rings 52, 54 and 56 wherein the fansare in a fully open position in FIG. 3, are in partially open positionsin FIG. 4 and moving toward a closed position which is represented inparticular in FIG. 5 by middle ring 52. More particularly, all of blocks58 within ring 52 have been shuffled under one another so that onlytrailing block 58B remains visible in the position originally held byblock 58A in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 5 further shows that the blocks 60 of middle ring 54 have passedthe fully closed position and have shuffled or fanned out from behindblock 60A to a partially open fan position. Thus, various of the blocks60 and associated symbols have moved past other blocks 60. It is notedthat block 60A at the stage shown in FIG. 4 is the leading block of ring54 while in FIG. 5 block 60A has become the trailing block as a new leadblock 60C and the remaining blocks 60 have shuffled or fanned outwardlyfrom under block 60A. It is further noted that middle ring 54 is notnecessarily shown at a stage corresponding to that of inner ring 52 sothat various stages may be shown in a single figure of the drawings.

FIG. 5 also shows a further stage of shuffling or fanning of thesegments 56A, 56B and 56C of the outer ring. More particularly, FIG. 5shows that the blocks 62 of segment 56A have moved beyond the fullyclosed position and begun to emerge from behind block 62A, which wasformerly the lead block of segment 56A and has become the trailing blockthereof. Block 62C of segment 56B in FIG. 5 represents the fully closedfan segment position with all of the associated blocks 62 having movedbehind block 62C, which is thus the only block displayed in segment 56B.Fan segment 56C is shown in a partially open position which has not yetreached a fully closed position and with block 62F still partially shownfrom behind block 62E.

FIG. 6 shows each of the rings in the fully fanned position subsequentto the shuffling process, which changed the order of the symbols withinthe respective rings. At this stage, none of paylines 70 is a winningpayline. However, the movement of rings 52, 54 and 56 has not beencompleted at the stage shown in FIG. 6. Nonetheless, FIG. 6 does showthree symbol families which will become winning paylines in FIG. 8. Moreparticularly, FIG. 6 points out the symbol family including symbols83A-C, the symbol family including symbols 89A-C and the symbol familyincluding symbols 90A-C. FIG. 7 shows the next stage of the game inwhich inner and outer rings 52 and 56 spin or rotate clockwise as shownrespectively at arrows F and G while middle ring 54 spins or rotatescounterclockwise as shown at arrow H. Each of the rings, symbol blocksand symbols thus revolves around center block 50, moving along the innerand outer perimeters of the respective rings. The spinning and shufflingprocesses illustrate that unlike a standard computerized slot game inwhich the reels and symbols thereon move in a straight line, thesymbols, symbol blocks and rings of the present invention move in afirst direction on the screen and a second direction transverse thereto.This may occur even if the circular rings were replaced by anothershape, typically a closed loop such as an oval, square, rectangle,triangle, pentagon, hexagon or other polygon. The revolving movement ofthe symbols and symbol blocks will work with an endless variety ofshapes.

When the spinning of the rings is completed, the symbols are positionedas shown in FIG. 8. In this case, three paylines 70 are shown as winningpaylines as indicated by the attachment of perimeter accents 94 theretoand the movement of each winning payline radially outwardly a shortdistance from its home position as indicated at arrows J, whichseparates it from an adjacent pair of paylines 70 and block 50. For eachwinning payline, a given award value is awarded to the player, forinstance three times the bet amount. This amount may be paid out at cointray 20 (FIG. 1) or simply credited to the player's account, which maybe displayed on screen 14 within information block 40B for instance.

In accordance with a feature of the invention and with reference to FIG.9, a combining mechanism in the form of a scarab combining symbol 100 isused to combine two or more paylines or to otherwise effect a winpattern change or pay-related event. To reach the stage illustrated inFIG. 9, the previously described steps are followed except for theappearance or display of winning paylines which are not combined, suchas those shown in FIG. 8. Thus, once the spinning of the ringspreviously described with reference to FIG. 7 is completed, combiningsymbol 100 is displayed on screen 14, moving from off the screen to alocation in the center of block 50 as indicated by arrow K. Block 50provides a display location for symbol 100 which is distinct or separatefrom the display locations for the symbols used in making up paylines.The combining of the two winning paylines 70 is indicated or highlightedby the spinning of symbol 100 and block 50 in a clockwise direction asshown at arrow L, by the attachment of perimeter accents 94 to thewinning paylines and by the radially outward movement of the winningpaylines as indicated at arrows M. The payline combining process is alsoaccentuated or emphasized by the movement of perimeter accents 94 fromrespective unattached positions to their respective attached positionsshown in FIG. 9. More particularly, one of the accents is indicated at94A and the other is indicated at 94B, each of which spirals inwardly ina clockwise direction onto the screen as indicated by arrows N and thevarious representations of the perimeter accents in dot dash lines.

The payline combining process caused by the appearance of symbol 100 isa value adding step of the game. More particularly, while the appearanceof the winning paylines 70 shown in FIG. 9 would ordinarily result in anaward value which is the sum of the value of the two paylines, combiningsymbol 100 causes the total value to increase to an amount greater thanthat sum. Thus, for example, combining symbol 100 combines the twopaylines in a manner which would result in an award value of ten timesthe bet amount.

In addition, the appearance of symbol 100 initiates a bonus round orbonus play. To reach the bonus screen and with reference to FIG. 10, thevarious symbol blocks 58, 60 and 62 move radially outwardly as indicatedat arrows P to change the distance between the various blocks to thusseparate from one another while columns 28 and 30 move laterally off of(or to the outermost edge on screen 14 respectively to the right andleft as indicated at arrows Q and R. As the various symbol blocks moveradially outwardly off of screen 14 in a linear fashion, they uncoveropening 48 of ring frame 32. As this movement occurs, block 50 andsymbol 100 continue to rotate clockwise as indicated at arrow L in FIG.10.

FIG. 11 shows that columns 28 and 30 are completely removed from screen14, that the symbol blocks are in a further stage of moving off of thescreen and that ring frame 32 is moving downwardly as indicated at arrowS toward a position off of the screen. In addition, symbol 100 movesupwardly as indicated at arrow T towards a position off the screen whileit rotates counterclockwise as indicated at arrow U. Block 50 moveslaterally and downwardly as indicated at arrow V while it continues torotate clockwise as indicated at arrow L. FIG. 11 also shows theappearance of three pyramids 102A-C associated with the bonus play.Although not shown in FIG. 10, pyramids 102 typically initially appearwithin opening 48 as the symbol blocks are beginning to move radiallyoutwardly and separating from one another.

As shown in FIG. 12, a caption 104 appears on screen 14 to direct theplayer of the game as to how to proceed. Caption 104 in the exemplaryembodiment states “Touch a pyramid to win your bonus”. Typically, thegame includes additional bonus screens having different symbols whichthe player may touch or otherwise activate in order to win a bonusvalue.

When the bonus play is over, the various visual elements of the maingame begin to appear on screen 14 again as shown in FIG. 13. Moreparticularly, columns 28 and 30 move laterally inwardly as indicated atarrows W, reel frame 32 is moved vertically upward as indicated at arrowX and the various symbol blocks move radially inwardly in a sequentialmanner as indicated at arrows Y. At the stage shown in FIG. 13, all ofthe symbol blocks 58 of ring 52 have returned to their home positionswhile only four of the symbol blocks 60 of middle ring 54 have returnedto their home positions. As the symbol blocks return to their homepositions in sequential order, block 60D will be the next block to moveto its home position, followed in sequential order by blocks 60E, 60F,60G and so forth until all the blocks 60 return to their home positions.Likewise, blocks 62 subsequently return sequentially with block 62Gbeing the first to return to its home position followed by block 62H andso forth.

A jackpot win is now described with reference to FIGS. 14-19. Game playbegins in the standard fashion and proceeds with the shuffling stepspreviously described with reference to FIGS. 4-6. However, combiningsymbol 100 appears on the screen so that instead of the various symbolsappearing in a random fashion as shown in FIG. 6, the symbols appear onthe various symbol blocks so that all paylines 70 are winning paylinesas shown in FIG. 14. Symbol 100 has been previously described ascombining two or more paylines to create an added value. However, symbol100 may also be used to create paylines, such as one or both of thoseshown in FIG. 9, as well as all of the paylines as shown in FIG. 14.

Once symbol 100 has caused all the symbols to move into the jackpotconfiguration with all paylines in a winning configuration, each ofrings 52, 54 and 56 begin to spin clockwise as indicated by arrows Z, A1and B1 respectively. This rotation of the three rings and all theprevious movements described herein have the appearance of occurringwithin the plane defined by screen 14. However, this changes as shown inFIGS. 15 and 16. More particularly, inner ring 52 and outer ring 56begin to flip about a horizontal axis X1 which lies in the plane ofscreen 14 while middle ring 54 flips about a vertical axis Y1 which isalso in the plane of screen 14. More particularly, inner ring 52 andouter ring 56 flip about axis X1 in opposite directions. This isillustrated in FIG. 15 in that the top 106 of inner ring 52 has movedrearwardly away from the viewer while the bottom 108 has moved forward.In contrast, the top 110 of outer ring 56 is moved forward while thebottom 112 of outer ring 56 is moved rearwardly.

As each of the rings are flipping as described, each ring continues torotate as shown by arrows Z, A1 and B1 in FIG. 15. At this point, it isnoted that rings 52, 54 and 56 have respective front sides 114,116 and118 which generally face the player of the game while having theappearance of being angled due to the initial stage of flipping therings shown in FIG. 15. Likewise, the rings have respective back sides120, 122 and 124 which are shown in FIG. 16, which illustrates a laterstage in the flipping of the rings which has exposed these back sides.The various symbols flip with the rings from the position in FIG. 15 inwhich we see the front of the symbols to the position in FIG. 16 inwhich we see the rear side of the symbols, which causes the symbols toappear in a reversed configuration. During the flipping process, therings continue to rotate as indicated at arrows Z, A1 and B1 in FIG. 16,which appear to be opposite to the corresponding arrows in FIG. 15 butare so only due to the fact that the rings have flipped over. Thus, thewinning of the jackpot is accentuated by the rotation of the rings andflipping of the rings.

The rings stop flipping at the jackpot configuration and the winning paylines 70 then move radially outward as indicated at arrows Cl in FIG.17, which further accentuates the jackpot win. This radially outwardmovement causes the paylines to separate from one another. With each ofthe winning paylines 70 spaced radially outwardly from its homeposition, perimeter accents 94 begin to spiral inwardly onto screen 14and attach to respective paylines 70 in a sequential manner (FIG. 18).Thus, accent 94C attaches to payline 70A first, then accent 94D attachesto payline 70B, then accent 94E attaches to payline 70C and accent 94Fattaches to payline 70D. Each of said accents spiral inwardly as isshown at arrow D1 with regard to accents 94G in the dot dash lines to aposition shown by accent 94G in solid lines above payline 70E. Payline70E moves inwardly as indicated at arrow E1 to its home position andthen accent 94G likewise moves radially inwardly as indicated at arrowE1 to attach to payline 70E. Payline 70F will then move to its homeposition and an additional accent which spirals inwardly will attach topayline 70F and so forth with payline 70G next and the remainder insequential order so that all of the winning paylines 70 have a perimeteraccent 94 attached thereto as shown in FIG. 19. Symbol 100 has thus farbeen described as adding value by combining paylines in a manner thatincreases the award value and by creating one or more paylines toincrease the award value which may include the formation of a jackpotconfiguration. Symbol 100 may also be used to effect a wager increaseoption in which the player of the game may increase the wager amount sothat a win will produce a greater award value. One option along theselines is the playing of a first game having a first set of award valueswherein symbol 100 appears on the screen to grant access to the play ofa second game having a second set of award values which are respectivelygreater than the first set of award values. Symbol 100 may also cause aprogressive stage of play in which the jackpot amount increases witheach play until won.

FIGS. 20-22 show three different configurations of the rings toillustrate either distinctive paylines or activator symbol sets whichserve the same purpose as symbol 100 as previously discussed. FIG. 20shows four non-contiguous middle blocks 60A-D of middle ring 54highlighted respectively by perimeter accents 126A-D. Dissimilar symbols93B, 83B, 87B and 84B are respectively shown within these four blocks60A-D. This pattern or configuration may illustrate a distinctivepayline in which the symbols are non-contiguous or separate from oneanother or may illustrate an activator symbol set which functions in thesame manner as symbol 100. To further define the concept of beingnon-contiguous, block 60A and symbol 93B are used as an example. Thesymbol blocks and symbols associated therewith which are contiguous toblock 60A and symbol 93B are inner blocks 58A, 58B, and 58C, middleblocks 60F and 60G, and outer blocks 62A, 62B, and 62C as shown in FIG.20. All of the other symbol blocks and associated symbols arenon-contiguous with block 60A and symbol 93B. The other highlightedblocks and symbols follow the same pattern. Thus, the payline formed bythese four non-contiguous symbols illustrates a payline in which firstand second symbols are within the payline but none of the symbols orsymbol blocks which are contiguous with the first symbol are within thepayline. FIG. 20 further illustrates that none of the symbols or blockscontiguous to any of the highlighted blocks are part of the payline. Thehighlighted blocks also illustrate a regular pattern of every thirdsymbol within ring 54 being in the payline although irregularconfigurations may also be used. While each of the symbols of thepayline in FIG. 20 are located within middle ring 54, they may belocated in any of the suitable positions within rings 52, 54 and 56.

FIG. 21 shows inner blocks 58D-F highlighted respectively by perimeteraccents 128A-C with like or similar symbols 91 Al, 91 A2 and 91 A3respectively in said blocks. FIG. 21 thus represents a payline formed ofthree similar symbols and symbol blocks within a single ring 52 withblock 58E being contiguous to blocks 58D and 58F as are the associatedsymbols. As previously noted, the highlighted symbol blocks and symbolsmay represent a payline or an activator symbol set.

FIG. 22 shows an inner block 58G highlighted by a perimeter accent 130A,a middle block 60H contiguous to block 58G highlighted by a perimeteraccent 130B and an outer block 62D highlighted by a perimeter accent130C. Special like or similar symbols 132A-C are positioned in block58G, 60H and 62D respectively. Symbols 132 are in the form of a pair ofcolumns or torches which maintain the thematic association with theother symbols. However, symbols 132 are different from those previouslyshown and illustrate that such different symbols may be used in forminga distinctive payline or activator symbol set.

The computer program of gaming machine 10 is programmed to produce thedisplay blocks 58, 60 and 62 on screen 14. The computer program includesa symbol code pool having a plurality of symbol codes each of whichrepresents one of symbols 82-93 (FIG. 2). For each play of the game, thecomputer program randomly selects thirty-six of the symbol codes whichcause a respective thirty-six of the symbols 82-93 (or other symbols) toappear respectively in blocks 58, 60, and 62 on screen 14. Thus, thesymbol code pool has a given number of symbol codes which is greaterthan the number of blocks 58, 60 and 62 combined. This aspect of thecomputer program allows for the display of a payline such as that shownin FIG. 21 which includes a plurality of the same symbols within asingle ring, amongst many other possibilities.

Gaming machine 10 thus provides a variety of new aspects to a slot stylegame. The use of a value adding symbol such as symbol 100 or anactivator symbol set as discussed with reference FIGS. 20-22 may causevarious value adding changes to the game. For instance, the activatingsymbol may combine paylines, create paylines, provide for a wagerincrease option or bonus rounds and so forth. In addition, the use ofthe rings which may be circular or other shapes provide for uniqueconfigurations and movements on the video screen. These include theshuffling process, the rotating or revolving of the symbols and rings,the flipping of the rings, the movement of individual paylines or symbolblocks relative to the others and so forth. The various novel featuresof gaming machine 10 add to its ability to attract players to the game.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is anexample and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown ordescribed.

1. An apparatus comprising: a video display screen; a game playable viadisplay on the screen; a wager mechanism for making a wager on the game;a game play starter control for selectively initiating play of the game;a first pay line displayable on the screen; at least one value-addingsymbol randomly displayable on the screen; and a pay-related eventactivatable in response to appearance of the value-adding symbol on thescreen.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pay-related eventcomprises creation of the first pay line.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the first pay line has a first award value; further comprising asecond pay line displayable on the screen and having a second awardvalue; and wherein the pay-related event comprises a combination of thefirst and second pay lines having a third award value greater than thesum of the first and second award values.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the pay-related event comprises a wager increase option.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the pay-related event comprises a winpattern change.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising aplurality of symbols displayable on the screen, usable in making up paylines and movable in response to display of the value-adding symbol onthe screen.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pluralityof symbols displayable on the screen, usable in making up pay lines,movable in a first direction from a first position to a second positionand movable in a second direction transverse to the first direction fromthe second position to a third position.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7wherein the symbols are movable along an arcuate path.
 9. The apparatusof claim 1 further comprising a plurality of symbols displayable on thescreen and usable in making up pay lines; and wherein a first one of thesymbols covers or is covered by a second one of the symbols duringmovement of at least one of the first and second symbols relative to oneanother.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first pay line ismovable from a first position on the screen to a second position on thescreen.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising first and secondreels displayable on the screen; a plurality of symbols on the firstreel; a plurality of symbols on the second reel; and wherein the firstpay line comprises a first one of the symbols on the first reel andsecond one of the symbols on the second reel; the reels spin during gameplay and stop spinning to form the first pay line; and the first andsecond symbols are movable relative to one another to change thedistance therebetween when the reels are not spinning.
 12. The apparatusof claim 1 further comprising a first ring displayable on the screen;and a plurality of first symbols on the ring usable in making up paylines.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first ring isrotatable.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first ring isflippable.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first symbols aremovable circumferentially along the first ring.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 15 wherein at least one of the first symbols is movable pastanother of the first symbols during circumferential movement along thefirst ring to change the order of the first symbols.
 17. The apparatusof claim 12 further comprising a second ring displayable on the screen;and a plurality of second symbols on the ring usable in making up paylines.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first and second ringsare rotatable in different directions.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17wherein the second ring circumscribes the first ring.
 20. The apparatusof claim 19 wherein the first pay line comprises one of the firstsymbols and one of the second symbols.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20further comprising a third ring displayable on the screen andcircumscribing the second ring; and a plurality of third symbols on thethird ring usable in making up pay lines; and wherein the first pay linecomprises one of the third symbols.
 22. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising a plurality of symbols displayable on the screen and usablein making up pay lines; wherein a first one of the symbols and a secondone of the symbols is displayed on the screen in a non-contiguousrelationship; and the first pay line comprises the first and secondsymbols, but does not comprise any of the symbols which are in acontiguous relationship with the first symbol.
 23. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the first pay line comprises a plurality of dissimilarsymbols.
 24. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality ofreels displayable on the screen; a plurality of display blocks in eachreel; and wherein the first pay line comprises a plurality of symbolsdisplayed in a plurality of the display blocks within a single one ofthe reels.
 25. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pluralityof symbol locations on the screen; a plurality of symbols displayable onthe screen and usable in making up pay lines; and a pool of computerprogram symbol codes which are randomly selectable and have a numbergreater than that of the symbol display locations; and wherein thesymbols are displayed at the symbol display locations in response to therandom selection of the symbol codes.
 26. The apparatus of claim 1further comprising an accent movable on the screen from an unattachedposition to an attached position in which the accent is attached to thefirst pay line as an indicator that the pay line is a winning pay line.